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C I T Y U O C U M E N T 



[No. 22. 



DEDICATION 



FliENCH MONUMENT 



CITY OF PrxOVlDENCE, I!. 1. 



COMPRISING 



HIE HISKilflCAl, KKCOKD, OUATION, ADDUKSSKS, I'KAVEHS, 01»E 
AND 0I5DEU OF EXEUCISES, 



JULY 4, 1882, 



WITH PHOTOGRAPHIC AHEWS. 




PROVIDENCE: 

PKt>Vir)EX(K PRESS COMPANY, PRINTERS TO THE CITY. 

1882. 



THE CITY OF P li O V I D E N C F . 



Joint Resolutions by the City Council. 

No. -'{54. Resolutions thanking the Rev. Frederic Denison for the Oration 
delivered at the Dedication of the French Monument, July 4, 1882. 

[Approved September 14, 1SS2.] 

Resolved, That the city council hereby tender their thanks to the Rev. 
Frederic Denison for the oration delivered by him at the dedication of the 
F'rench Monument, on the Fourth of July, 18S2. 

Resolved, That the committee of arrangements for the said Fourth of July 
celebration, Messrs. Benjamin E. Kinsley, Chairman, John McWilliams, 
John W. Briggs and Gilbert F. Robbing, are hereby instructed to request a 
copy of said oration, and cause the same, together with the order of exercises 
on that day, to be printed for the use of the city council, and that the exjiense 
thereof be charged to the appropriation for i^rinting. 

Witness: 

HENRY V. A. JOSLIN, City Clerk. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



City of Providence, ^ 

City Clerk's Office, City Hall, \ 

September 25, 1882. j 

Rev. Frederic Denison: 

De.ir Sir: — I am ilirectetl by the Joint Special Committee on the Fourth of 
July celebration, to request that you will furnish me for publication a copy 
of the very able oration delivered by you at- the dedication of the French 
Monument. 

As the city council have directed that the order of exercises be iiublished 
together with the oration, I shall be pleased to see you personally in regard 
to the matter, that I may avail myself of such suggestions as you may choose 
to make. 

Very respectfully yours, 

HENRY V. A. JOSLIN, Crrv Clerk. 

REPLY. 
Henry V. A. Joslin, Esq., Clerk of the City of Providence, R. I.: 

Dear Sir: — Having received, under your hand, the resolution of thanks 
from the city council of Providence, R. I., for the oration delivered by me, at 
their appointment, on the occasion of the dedication of the French Monu- 
ment, July 4, 1882, followed by a request for a copy of the oration for publi- 
cation; and also having received, in accordance with the resolution, a request, 
under your hand, from the Joint Special Committee of the City Council on 
the dedication referred to, for a copy of said oration ; I hereby gratefully 
acknowledge the receipt of the two communications, and gladly comply with 
the requests by furnishing the said oration, trusting that the publication of 
the dedicatory exercises may further promote and perpetuate the priceless 
international friendship that inspired the erection of the Monument, and that 
will forever be dear to the hearts of the people of Rhode Island. 
Very respectfully yours, 

FREDERIC DENISON. 
Providence, R. I., October 4, 1882. 



I. 

HISTORICAL EECORD. 



During the Revolution, the ti'oops of France sent to our 
aid reached Rhode Island in the summer of 1780, and at the 
close of the active operations of the war, left the State late 
in 1782. During the ditferent visits and encampments of 
these troops in Providence, about one hundred soldiers fell 
by disease. The most of these were inhumed near the south 
entrance of the North Burying Ground, then the only pub- 
lic cemetery in the town. The spot containing these allies 
became hallowed ground. 

The movement to secure a memorial over the graves of 
these French soldiers w^as l)egun Iw the Rev. Frederic Deni- 
son, in August, 1881. After careful search, involving the 
examination of records and the testimony of aged men who 
knew well the 'actors in the Revolution, he was enabled to 
fix upon the exact spot containing the graves of these allies, 
hitherto unmarked by stones. On exhumation he found the 
bones. One full skeleton was taken out, for a time, for 
examination, to dispel all doubts, and for the inspection of 
the French Delegation that visited our country on the occa- 
sion of the Yorktown Centennial. 

By request, the authorities of Providence laid out this 
ground and caused it to be permanently graded. The pro- 



10 HISTOUICAL RECORD. 

jector of the memorial then drew his plan — a unique one — 
of a ledger moniunent of o-ranite, and solicited throULjh the 
columns of the Providence Journal and by personal appeal, 
the funds necessary to carrv out his desijjn. The founda- 
tion of the monument was put in, and the broad base-stone 
was laid when the French Delegation to the Yorktown Cen- 
tennial, by invitation, visited Rhode Island, and with most 
touching ceremonies of address, song, floral decoration and 
prayer, recognized the begun work. The ceremony occurred 
November 1, 1881. The French oflicers decorated the 
stone with a floral cross made of bouquets taken from their 
breasts. A full account of this service may be found in the 
Providence Joiwiml for November 2,1881. A beautiful cut of 
this tender scene was executed by ^Nlrs. Frank Leslie for her 
illustrated paper. 

The heroic ode pronounced on this deeply interesting, 
international occasion by a French scholar. Prof. Jean E. 
Guilbert, as it won much applause from the French Delega- 
tion and all others, is worthy of preservation. 

ODE. 

BY PROF. JEAN E. GUILBERT. 

AUX SOr>UATS, 
FRAXfAIS IXHUMliS AU CIMETIKUE I)U NORM. 

Quels sont les niorts airaes qu' uu pen de terre iiue 
Seule couvrait, liier, dans ce sejoiir de paix ? 
Pas iiu nom; pas un bois; mais chacun le.s salue. 
Et dit; sous ce gazon, sont les soldats fran(;ais. 

C'est que Ton se souvieiit que Ik furent des Ijraves; 
C'est que I'a'ieul 1' a dit a ses petits neveux. 
D'aussi grands souvenirs sontde nobles c'paves 
Qu 'un peuplesait garder, sans monuments pompeux. 

Soldat francaisi iei, ce mot est symbolique. 
Au milieu des ccueils, par le temps respectc, 
Ce mot, depuis cent ans, a ti-avers 1' Ame'rique 
Veut dire dclivrance, amour et libertc. 



HISTORICAL REfcORD. 11 

Le peiiple, au lendemain des sanglantes batailles, 
Sur le sillon fauche profoadement gemit. 
II n'y voit qu' uu signal de longues funerailles. 
De larmes, de douleurs; il frissonne; il inaudit. 



Mais, Tous, soldats venus des confins de la France, 
Venus pour dclivrer, et non pour conqucrir, 
Vous, dont les liras amis apiiortaient I'esperance, 
II ne put, apres vous, qu 'admirer et beuir. 



L' histoire dit la route, en ces grands jours, suivie 
Par le peuple et par vous, comment, dans les combats, 
Oil votre sang coula, se melant a sa vie, 
Se virent affranchis les premiers treize etats. 



Braves, mais plus heureux que tant de capitaines, 
Vos coups, au lieu d' horreur, d' cpouvante et de deuil, 
Rendaient un peuple a lui, faisient tomber des chaines. 
Ce fut la votre gloire; et c' est la notre orgueil. 

Au passant, qui, voyant cette pierre Scellce, 
Voudra savoir, deniain, ou des noms ou des faits, 
Montrant, avec respect, le simple mausole'e. 
La, redira chacun, sont les soldats fran^ais. 

Ces mots diront assez ; ces mots disent 1' histoire 
Du splendide reveil d' un grand peuple naissant, 
Reveil, inserit en or au temple de memoire, 
Peuple, a la fois heureux, libre et reconnaissant. 

Dormez en paix; soldats, sur cette terre amie, 
Sur ce sol ou Ton put appeler un vainqueur, 
Un soldoit conime vous; Pere de la patrie, 
Oil le nom de soldat veut dire fondateur. 



It will be suitable to add the hymn composed for the oc- 
casion by the projector of the movement, and which was 
rendered both in En<ylish and in French. 

2 



12 



HISTORICAL RECORD. 



H Y M N . 



BY REV. FREDERIC DENISON, A. M. 



Father of men, and right, 

Our thanks are unto Thee; 
"Westand, with joy, in Thy great might, 

And sing of liberty. 

Above these graves we stand 

In thankful memory 
Of those who from an allied land 

Died in tidelity. 

From that loved sister-shore 

We grateful hail to-day 
The sons of noble sires of yore, 

And deeds of tribute pay. 

Preserve these lands, O God, 

In ties of brotherhood, 
As they were one, on fields once trod, 

When freely poured their blood. 

And bring the age of peace 
To earth, by Thy full grace, 

When human wrongs and strife shall 
cease. 
And love shall rule our race. 



Pere du droit supreme, 
Et de I'humanite', 
Daigne accueillir, 6 Grace meme, 
Nos chants de liberte. 

Devant ce mausole'e, 
Nous redisons merci 
Aux fils de I'ancienne alliee. 
Qui reposent ici. 

ScBur a jamais cherie, 
Nous jjayons, en ce jour, 
A la noble chevalerie, 

Notre tribut d'amour. 

Fais, Dieu, que cette terre 
Soit pour nous, en tout temps, 
Comme aux sanglants jours de la 
guerre, 
EUe fut dans nos champs. 

Dans ta puissante grace 
Ouvre I'ere de paix, 
Diffe'rents, torts, que tout s'efface, 
Regne, amour, a jamais! 



The memorial is of the best quality of Westerly granite, 
and was executed by the Smith Granite Company, of AVest- 
erly, through their agent, Mr. Frank F. Tingley, of Provi- 
dence. It is a double-based ledger monument vveijrhino: about 
eight tons. On its top is sculptured, in relief, a French 
shield with the French national coat-of-arms. On the east- 
ern side, in relief, is the legend : — 

" LA GRATITUDE DE RHODE ISLAND." 
On the western side, in like relief, is the legend : — 

"OUR ALLIES IN THE REVOLUTION." 
On the south is cut, full size, in relievo, a Revolutionary 



HISTORICAL RECORD. 13 

cartridge-box inscribed with the date " 1782." This indi- 
cates that the most of the soldiers were infantrymen. 

On the north, in a raised and polished panel, are the fol- 
lowing inscriptions : — 

"TRIBUTE OF THE PEOPLE. 

DECORATED BY THE 

FRENCH DELEGATION 

NOV. 1, 1881. 

DEDICATED BY THE 

CITIZENS OF PROVIDENCE 

JULY 4, 18»2." 

The whole is a very finished piece of work and produces 
a clear and pleasing effect. The projector of the monument 
laid less stress upon magnitude than upon the expression of 
ideas ; not quantity, but quality was his aim ; not momen- 
tary effect, but suggestiveness and durability. 

The mover, who had thus far acted wholly upon his own 
promptings, though heartily seconded by the citizens, hav- 
ing completed his work, assisted only by J\Ir. Henry R. 
Davis, who served as Treasurer of the donated and expended 
funds, now called together the donors and requested them 
to make arrangements for the public dedication of the 
monument. The donors appointed for this purpose a com- 
mittee consisting of Gen. Horatio Rogers, Gen. Elisha H. 
Rhodes, Rev. Frederic Denison, Mr. Sidney S. Rider, and 
Mr. Florent A. Heller, to which was afterwards added Col. 
Joseph H. Kendrick. This committee proceeded in their 
task and arranged a general programme of exercises, and 
fixed upon organizations, parties and persons to be invited 
to render aid. This arrangement in main will be found in 
the order of exercises that was executed. 

At this stage of proceedings the authorities of the city of 
Providence generously and patriotically came to the relief 
of the committee of the donors and offered to bear the labor 
and the expense of the dedicatory services. 



14 HISTORICAL RECORD. 

The offer was gratefully received, and all the citizens were 
highly pleased with the arrangement. The City Council 
made an adequate appropriation for the object, and appointed 
a joint special committee to co-operate with the committee of 
the donors in completing and executing the necessary plans 
for the dedication. The joint special committee consisted 
of Aldermen John W. Briggs and Gilbert F. Robbins, and 
Councilmen Henry J. Hall, Benjamin E. Kinsley and John 
McWilliams, in consultation with His Honor, the Mayor, 
William S. Hayward. In all these steps particularly efficient 
service was rendered by Gen. Horatio Rogers. In obedience 
to the general and earnest desire of the people choice was 
made of July 4, 1882, as the day for the dedicatory services. 
The organizations, parties and persons invited to participate 
in the patriotic and international celebration promptly and 
gladly responded. In due time and manner, the invited 
organizations and persons of official rank, in full uniform and 
insignia, in obedience to issued orders, appeared to aid in the 
celebration, and all the city was alive with patriotic interest. 
Man}" guests and friends came from neighboring cities and 
States to witness the dedicatory ceremonies. The celebra- 
tion felicitously expressed the gratitude and patriotism of our 
whole country ; and its moral elements of international 
brotherhood were deeply felt. The Gardes Lafayette, in- 
vited from the city of New York, with the Consul-General 
and other French guests, arrived by steamer in the morning 
and were received by the First Light Infantry Regiment, 
that acted as their escort for the day. All officials and 
speakers for the day met at the City Hall, from which they 
took carriages for the procession. 



11. 

THE PROCESSIOI^. 



The inaugurate feature of the celebration was the military 
parade. At the appointed hour for the formation of the 
procession the streets along the route of march were densely 
lined with waiting people. Promptly with the striking of 
the hour of nine, the Chief Marshal, Gen. ElishaH. Rhodes^ 
gave the signal, and the column swung out gracefully from 
South Water street, where it had formed, into Market 
square and Westminster street, and took the ordered route 
of march through Westminster, High, Stewart, Broad, Wey- 
bosset. Market square. North Main, Waterman and Benefit 
streets to the North Burying Ground, where stands the mon- 
ument. The Gardes Lafayette, from New York, attracted 
particular attention, as did also all French officers and visit- 
ors. The order of procession was as follows : 

Mounted Police, Capt. Jeremiah F. Costine. 

Chief Marshal, Gen, Elisha H. Rhodes. 

Aids: 

Lt.-Col. Philip S. Chase, Major William J. Bradford, 

Captain Thomas W. Manchester. 

Orderlies. 

Boston City Band, 25 pieces, J. B. Claus, Leader. 

First Light Infantry Regiment, Lieut. -Col. J. H. Kendrick, commanding. 

Staff : 

Adjutant, Samuel T. Douglas; 

Quartermaster, William H. Teel; 

Paymaster, T. F. Fessenden; 

Chaplain, S. H. Webb; 



16 THE PROCESSION. 

Surgeon, George A. Brug; 

Inspector, George W. Cady; 

Ex-Surgeon, Dr. George W. Porter; 

Capt. C. Henry Alexander, honorary. 

Light Infantry Drum Corps, J. Dickerson, Drum Major. 

Company D, Captain Edwin Draper. 

Company C, Captain William H. Thornton. 

Company B, Captain F. A. Peabody. 

Company A, Cajitain Benjamin L. Hall. 

Eighth Regiment, New York, Drum Corps, George W. Hill, Drum Major. 

Daughter of the Regiment, Barrer. Leonie. 

Gardes Lafayette, New York, Major Joseph Weill, commanding, 

accompanied l)y the following guests: 

Lieut. -Colonel Schilling, of the Eighth Regiment, New York; 

M. C. Galliot, President of the Gardes Lafayette; 

Alderman Levy, of New York; 

Prof. Colin, of Columbia College, and correspondent of the Bepnbllque 

Francaise ; 

M. L. A. Risse, Supt. of Streets, of the Twenty-fourtji Ward, New York; 

M. Le Bent, President of the Asile Francais; 

M. Louis Mercier, of the Courier des Etats Unis ; 

Sergeant Muret, of the Church Street Police Station, and Messrs. Bertrand, 

Bourguard, Protin, Rautrowitz, Jacobs and Machefert. 

First Lieutenant of Gardes Lafayette, Celestin Cossin. 

Second Lieutenant, Leon Goden. 

Surgeon, Dr. De Latour. 

French Colony of Providence, 

President, Charles S. Vigneron, 

Secretary, Joseph Pichot; 

President A. A. Cyr, of the St. Jean Baptiste Society. 

First Light Infantry Veteran Association, 

Col. William W. Brown, commanding. 

Providence Brigade Band, 25 pieces, J. J. L. Smith, Leader; Drum Major, 

William H. Goflfe. 

Company D, Fifth Battalion of Infantry, Captain John McElroy. 

Company B, Fifth Battalion of Infantry, Captain William McPherson. 

Detachment F. L. I. Drum Corps. 

Fourth Battalion of Infantry, Captain Thomas Brinn. 

Company B, Lieut. James K. Polk. 

Company A, Captain Wm. H. Beckett. 

Fourth Battalion Cadets, Captain Cubit. 

Battery A, Light Artillery, Captain Peck. 

Company B, First Battalion of Cavalry, Capt. R. C. Brown, commanding. 

Carriages containing the Committee of Arrangements of the City Council, 

H. J. Hall, B. F. Kinsley, J. Mc Williams, J. W. Briggs, G. F. 

Robbing, and D. F. Hayden, Secretary. 

President of the Day, Hon. Thomas A. Doyle. 

Orator, Rev. Frederic Denison. 

Chaplain, Rt. Rev. Bishop Clark. 

French Consul General, M. A. Le Faivre. 

Vice Consul, Maurice Truy. 



THE PROCESSION. 17 

Chancellor M. Valdejo, of the Consulate. 

Committee of Donors to French Memorial. 

His Honor the Mayor, W. S. Hayward. 

President of the Board of Aldermen, H. R. Barker. 

City Clerk, H. V. A. Joslin, and City Sergeant, E. S. Rhodes. 

Members of the Board of Aldermen. 

President of the Common Council, J. C. B. Woods. 

Members of the Common Council. 

OfiScers of the Rhode Island Historical Society, and officers of the United 

States Army and Navy, including Capt. William Badger 

and Col. Zenas R. Bliss, U. S. A. 

Great delight was expressed by the citizens in the order 
and beauty of the procession, the equal of which, in these 
respects, had not before been seen, as it embraced the five 
arms of the public service, and represented three nationali- 
ties. Banners and mottoes, some in English and some in 
French, were tastefully arranged along the line of march. 
In a particular manner the entrance to the North Burying 
Ground was decorated with flags and French mottoes by the 
kindness of the French Colony of Providence. 

The grounds were decorated by Mr. R. J. Payne. At the 
north end of the monument was a century plant, indicating 
the lapse of a hundred years since the burials took place 
which it commemorated. A large American flag rested upon 
the monument as a veil. On the risfht of the monument 
stood a beautiful American standard flag, and on the left an 
equally beautiful French flag of the same size. These flags 
were given by the State of liliode Island, and will be placed 
by the monument on every Fourth of July. About thirty 
feet north of the monument was erected the grand stand, 
upon Avhich the exercises were held, with floor about twenty 
by thirty feet, roofed with canvas, and filled with settees for 
the ofiicers, dignitaries and guests. The American and 
French flags were intertwined in front of the speaker's plat- 
form. A space of about half an acre surrounding this and 
the monument was enclosed by ropes, which were surrounded 
at an early hour by a goodly number of citizens inspecting 
the preparations. 

The great mass of citizen spectators came to the grounds 



18 THE PEOCESSION. 

with the military procession, which arrived at the main 
entrance about halt-past 10 o'clock. The line formed in 
close column, by division, on the plat of greensward on the 
south side of the monument. In front were the First Liffht 
Infantry, Veteran Infantry, and other military bodies. The 
cavalry formed on the left of the line, on Tomb avenue, on 
the west side of the grounds, and the artillery on the same 
avenue, farther to the north. On the greensward plat, at 
the left of the monument, were stationed the City Band, of 
Boston, who furnished the instrumental music. On the east 
side of the monument the Gardes Lafayette, of New York 
city, and the French Colony of Providence, took their posi- 
tions. The former, of these organizations comprises what 
remains of the Fifty-fifth New York regiment, made up of 
Frenchmen who did splendid service in the Federal army 
for the suppression of the rebellion. Their name at 
that time was the Gardes Lafayette. Since the war, 
when the State of New York reconstructed her militia laws, 
this body, lacking the requisite number of men to keep up 
its regimental standard, was merged in the Eighth regiment, 
but allowed to retain its battalion organization. It is now 
the First battalion of the Eighth regiment of New York mili- 
tia. They are organized after the pattern of the Chasseurs 
a pieds of the French army. On their standard is inscribed 
the names of the battles in which Lafayette participated in 
the American Revolution. They were accompanied by a 
vivandlere, and by a certain number of orphans, belonging 
to the regiment, for whose bringing up and education they 
are responsible. The French delegation, or French Colony, 
of Providence, is an organization of Frenchmen residing 
here, who warmly participated in these exercises out of 
affection for their fatherland. 



III. 

THE DEDICATIOI^. 



On coming to a halt, the military stacked arms and 
assumed the attitude of listeners. The Chairman of the City 
Council Committee of Arrangements then introduced 
ex-Mayor Doyle as Acting President of the Day, the Presi- 
dent, General Horatio Rogers, being coniincd at home by 
sickness. President Doyle, then stepping forward, gave 
the word, '^^ Let the monument J)e unveUed.''' As the flag 
which had covered the structure was deftly withdrawn l)y 
two men of the signal corps of the State militia, the band 
played the Marseilles hymn, and at a signal given by the 
Chief Marshal, a salute of twenty-one guns to the French 
flag was fired by the battery. All those occupying the 
ofrand stand remained standino; and uncovered durin": that 
part of the ceremon3^ This national salute to the French 
flag deeply moved all hearts. No eyes Avere dry. 

The President then introduced the Rt. Rev. Bishop of the 
Diocese of Rhode Island, and Chaplain of the Day. 

PRAYER. 

BY REV. THOMAS M. CLARK, D.D. 

O God, who art the blessed and only Potentate, the Kino- 
of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Almighty Ruler of Nations, 
we adore and magnit^y Thy glorious name for all the great 
things that Thou hast done for us. We render Thee thanks 
for the goodly heritage which Thou hast given us ; for the 
civil and religious privileges which we enjoy ; and for the 
multiplied manifestations of Thy favor toward us. Grant 
that we may show forth our thankfulness to Thee for these 
Thy mercies by living in reverence for Thy Almighty power 



20 THE DEDICATIOX. 

and dominion, in humble reliance upon Thy bounty and good- 
ness, and in holy obedience to Thy righteous laws. Preserve 
to our country the blessings of peace. Restore them to the 
countries deprived of them, and secure them to all the nations 
of the earth. May the Kingdom of the Prince of Peace 
come, and reigning in the hearts and lives of men, unite them 
in holy fellowship, that so their only strife may lie who shall 
show forth with the most humble and holy fervor the praises 
of Him who hath loved them and made them Kin^js and 
Priests unto God. 

We implore Thy blessing upon all in legislative, judicial 
and executive authority, that they may have grace and wis- 
dom so to discharge their duties as most effectually to pro- 
mote Thy glory, the interests of true religion and virtue, 
and the peace, good order and welfare of the State and 
nation. 

We would remember this day with devout gratitude the 
aid which we received in our great struggle for independence 
fvom our friends in foreign lands, and cherish with solemn 
reverence the memory of those who died upon our shores, 
and whose bodies rest in our soil. Be thou present with us, 
O God of nations, in the commemorative services of this 
occasion. Standing here, as we do, between the living and 
the dead, surrounded by the remains of many of our own 
countrymen who more recently fell in defending the integrity 
of the republic, and also of those who a century ago passed 
away from earth in a strange land, may we now resolve so 
to fight the good fight of faith, and endurance, and self-con- 
trol, as to secure to us whei,i we are summoned hence, the 
crown of victory, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

The President then introduced the orator of the day. 



OEATIOK 

BY KEV. FREDERIC DENISON, A. M. 



Mr. President, Representatives of France, and Fellow- 
countryjien : 

To-day we commemorate great principles, great compacts, 
great sacrifices, and great blessings from God. For a hun- 
dred years the battle-flags of the Revolution have been 
furled. But the actors in that great scene, like the deeds 
which they performed, like the Declaration of truths pro- 
nounced from Independence Hall, July 4, 1776, can never 
die. Our fathers and their allies, animated by love for man's 
inalienable rights, girded and guided by the Father of na- 
tions, battled and triumphed for mankind. Their achieve- 
ments we celebrate. Their graves are altars of freedom. 

There is a continuity of life in the human family. No 
man liveth to himself. The actions of men, particularly if 
self-denying, are transmitted to all following time. Gideon 
and Leonidas live in the patriot heart-throbs of to-day. Our 
Kevolutionary sires, with their French coadjutors, by their 
principles and their valor, inaugurated a new epoch in his- 
tory, and shaped the life of our continent. We have en- 
tered into a great inheritance that the}^ won for us. If the 
dove of peace now expands her heavenly Avings over all 
our wide land, it is because the commissioned eagle of bat- 



22 THE DEDICATION. 

tie has vanquished our enemies. The eagle has a mission 
no less than the dove. 

On this national anniv^ersary, consecrated to great associa- 
tions, to the high resolves, the struggles and heroisms of 
our forefathers and their associates — the air yet pulsing in 
our quickened ears with the old guns of Lexington, Rhode 
Island, New York, Trenton, Cowpens and Yorktown — we 
gratefully come to perform above these warrior-graves a 
service of piety and patriotism, a service due to valor, to 
international love and faith, to noble brotherhood, and to 
convictions of duty that led to martyrdom. AVe stand on 
sacred ground, and breathe a sacred air. Our country's 
heroic age is recalled. The soldiers of the Revolution are 
before us. 

With peculiar satisfaction and pride of heart Rhode Island, 
in behalf of our country, now takes upon her bosom, as a 
prized gem, this memorial of the Revolution, and this sou- 
venir of her personal fellowship with chivalrous France — a 
new and peculiar monument in our country. But Rhode 
Island, from the day when her What Cheer Rock w^as trod- 
den by an exile, has been accustomed to new and peculiar 
thinos. 

This epic in granite — unique, symbolic, unaml)itious, sub- 
stantial, suggestive — is, as we meant it to be, a rendering of 
the sentiments both of our State and our nation, and a trib- 
ute to our noble ally and her gallant army, that, in knightly 
spirit, came to our country's aid in her hour of deep need, 
and battled heroically under our immortal Washington, by 
the side of our dauntless fathers, to rescue us from the grasp 
of tyranny and to give us a name and a place among the na- 
tions of the earth. It is devoted to the memory of about 



THE DEDICATION. 



23 



one hundred braves — equal to a company of the army — who, 
in their war-blankets as winding sheets, sleep peacefully be- 
neath and around it ; men marshalled under Rochambeau 
and Layfayette, men who marched to gory fields through 
the length of our embattled land, men who fought in the 
last and crowning battle for our independence, men who, 
after their weary return march from the field of victory, 
Avhile encamped on yonder height — the dear old French 
camp— and while sharing, with their honored oflicers, the 
hospitality of Providence, and looking longingly toward thei 
vine-clad hills of their native land, were cut down by fell 
disease and here laid, l)y tearful comrades, in the soldier's 
last bivouac — the grave. To them and to their country we 
owe the record and the tribute we here thankfully, tenderly, 
tearfully pay. 

In any and every great struggle for freedom and right, 
the men who oo out from kindred and home to fields of bat- 
tie, ready to do and die for mankind, are worthy of honor 
and perpetual remembrance. Such devotion, such martyr- 
dom, shall be held sacred while the sacrifice of Calvary shall 
touch human souls. Do any call this sentiment? Be it so. 
Without sentiment, without gratitude, we are clods ; but 
Avith these, we are allied to angels and to God; they are 
badges of nobility and immortality. 

No common bonds of amity and affection unite the bosoms 
of France and Rhode Island. Here, in this colony, the first 
to declare her independence of Great Britain, on the shores 
of the Narrao-ansett, the lilies and the stars were first lifted 
in alliance. We gave France strong " anchor " in our hearts, 
and she gave us fresh " hope." In the unity of each flag 
was found the same trinity of colors — red, white and blue — 



24 THE DEDICATION. 

the trinity borrowed of heaven. In devoted fellowship 
these banners waved, in march and battle, on mountain and 
on main, till the foiled and beaten lion retreated to his trans- 
Atlantic lair. 

But for the magnanimous intervention of France, the day 
of our independence had been seriously, if not fatally de- 
layed. While the alliance was secured by the diplomacy of 
Dean, Franklin and Lafayette, it was no less the heart-pulse 
of the people of France — their homage to liberty, their 
chivalrous endorsement of our claim to nationality. The 
vow of succor was sealed with blood. The loss of France 
in 1781, in the actions of the Capes and Yorktown, was 
five hundred and three men, while the American loss was 
just one hundred, and the British loss was eight hundred 
and eighty-nine. 

Would that time and the temper of a summer sky allowed 
us here to recite in full the part taken by the French — the 
moral and material support they rendered in the long and 
exhausting Revolutionary conflict. That grateful task we 
must leave to our historians, and especially to him (Stuart 
F. Weld, A. B., Hyde Park, Mass.,) blessed with French 
blood, who, having lately made the subject a special study, 
has prepared a scholarly paper on the campaign of 1781, 
which ought to be given to the public. It must suffice us, 
in this service, to simply endeavor to express our hearts. 

The blood of French Huo-uenots is in our veins. The 
blood of French soldiers has moistened our land. Provi- 
dence and Newport are redolent with the memories of French 
soldiery. French officers and men fought gallantly under 
the stars and stripes in our civil war. By an officer of the 
Regular Army of France (Gen. Alfred N. Duffie), the 



THE DEDICATION. 



25 



sabre-armed sons of Rhode Island were splendidly led to 
battle at Cedar Mountain, Kelly's Ford and Middleburg. 
The Republic of France, not forgetting the spirit she caught 
from our Revolution, has lately bestowed upon our republic 
a lofty, inspiring statue of Liberty to stand forever as Free- 
dom's Pharos, at the ocean gate of the entreport of Amer- 
ica. Nor shall our country ever lack Gardes Lafayette like 
the gallant battalion here before us to-day — a band thrice 
welcome as a guard of honor on this patriotic international 
occasion. 

In preserving the memory of valiant men and benefactors, 
men who have made sacrifices for lis — the shadow of whose 
heroic lives fall upon our own — we not only discharge a 
bounden duty, we also exalt and dignify ourselves and onr 
kind. Never may we be insensible to the noble past, whose 
children we are. The images of the worthy dead should 
never be absent from us. Thank Heaven ! the generous, the 
just, the true, the brave, the self-denying in human action 
are immortal. By our diviner instincts they are shrined in 
the sanctuaries of our hearts. 

The liberties for which these soldiers fought, and in the 
winning of which they died — liberties now the heritage and 
boon of more than fitly millions of people — plead for the 
memory of the martyrs. They put their lives into the 
foundation of our temple of freedom — a temple that i§ and 
ever shall be, a sanctuary and asylum for the oppressed of 
all lands. By such graves as these our country is hallowed. 
The feet of pilgrim-patriots, and all lovers of liberty, shall 
devoutly visit this ground. 

Memorials, statues and monuments of the defenders of 
human rio^hts, ffreatlv augment both the intellectual and 



26 THE DEDICATION. 

moral welfare of a people ; they are more than gold ; they 
indicate our spiritual ornaments — wealth of thought, of 
feeling, of motive, of aspiration, of manly ideals — the forces 
that inspire and uplift our natures. Over them hover the an- 
gels of humanity — letters, histor}', poetry, music, eloquence, 
art and patriotism. They breathe into us holy emulations 
and incite to sublime moral efforts. 

" Blest be the art that can immortalize, 
The art that baffles time's tyrannic claim." 

Happy the land that has pure historic memorials and 
quickening national celebrations. Without them, a people 
is but a horde, like the nomadic pagans once wandering 
these hills — the land a heath, a desert — no springs of water 
in it, no luminaries in its intellectual sk}'. 

A nation is a growth, like an oak on a hill, to battle with 
storms and tempests. To have a strong constitutional trunk 
and iirm-fibred branches, with sprays and twigs and foliage 
and annual blooms and fruit, it must needs have its roots 
great and small, many and strong. As in the tree, these 
roots, reaching far out and deep down into the earth, grap- 
pling around the rocks and feeding on stored richness of 
soil, are all invisible, but supply sap, vitality and power to 
the visible that breathes the air and drinks the sunlight ; so 
in the nation, the invisible historic, conservative elements, 
taking hold of a heroic and rich past, give strength, stabil- 
ity and fruitfulness to the visible, the unseen being equal in 
magnitude, as in vitality, to the visible. Expei-ience is our 
storehouse of practical wisdom. 

Our national roots reach back to " Mao;na Charta " and 
the Gallic hills. Our liberties are the product of centu- 
ries. Our nation has met the tempest blasts of kingcraft 



THE DEDICATION. 27 

and oppression, and grandly survived them. Justly now 
we have our national celebrations. Wisely now we are 
building our monuments. Nationality and manhood are in- 
spired hy Bunker Hill, Groton Heights, and Mount Vernon. 
Rhode Island is reinspired by the statues of Williams and 
Perry, and the monument of granite and bronze adorning 
the heart of Providence, bearing warrior forms and martyr 
rolls. Soon we hope to gaze on the ennobling image of 
Burnside. These memorials enrich our little State, setting 
her in the sacred gallery of history, holding her forth on a 
background of noble deeds and throwing around her a halo 
of inspirations. While souls look out of eyes, give us 
monuments. 

Divine Providence graciously ordained that these graves 
of our allies should be in proximity to the training field of 
our ancestors, the old Campus Martius of Providence ; also 
in death's calm cantonment with yonder heroes of the Rev- 
olution ; and nigh to yonder monument and graves where 
rest our brothers who fell in our country's last desperate 
struggle with oi^pression. The earlier and the later heroes 
are here encamped in congenial and perpetual fame. The 
nationality that France aided our fathers in achieving, has 
been preserved and defended at whatever cost of treasure 
and of blood. Let the martyrs have holy sepulture together. 

The hand of fellowship, regretfully unclasped when the 
French troops left our shores in 1782, is reclasped to-day 
with tearful gratitude. To our sister Republic we now give 
this fresh pledge, this "bond in stone," that she shall ever 
be held dear in our memories and dear on the pages of our 
history. In all our hearts, as on this memorial, shall be 
read "La Gratitude De Rhode Island." Here the Lilies, 



28 THE DEDICATION. 

sculptured in the choicest m-iterial that God has put into 
the bosom of our State, shall evermore be watched over by 
the stars of our banner by day, and the stars of heaven by 
night. The land of Williams, Hopkins, Greene, Olney and 
Perry here decrees and guarantees to the home of Lafayette, 
D'Estaing, DeTernay, Eochambeau and DeGrasse that 
brotherhood, valor, chivalry and martyrdom for freedom, 
shall not pass unhonored and unsung. Till these compass- 
ing hills shall perish, France and the United States, once 
shoulder to shoulder in high achievements to adv^ance the 
empire of freedom, shall continue to live in aft'ectionate his- 
toric felloAvship. 

Providentially, this memorial has a two-fold consecration. 
Its wreathed foundation stone, sentineled then as now by 
the flags of the two nations, was gracefully and devoutly 
decorated with a floral cross from the breasts of the dis- 
tinguished representatives of France, when, returning from 
the Yorktown Centennial, they were the welcome guests of 
our glad State. That characteristic manifestation of affec- 
tion and noble sentiment, on their own and their country's 
behalf, has already given the Memorial a sweet fragrance in 
our patriot annals. 

And now, while bells and cannon, over all our land, speak 
our national jubilation, and all bosoms beat the music of our 
joy ; on this historic day ; by the generous action of the 
city of Providence and her oflicials ; by the elite military 
forces of our city, and the officers and soldiers of our last 
war; by the French Colony of Providence, and French offi- 
cials in our land ; and by this vast concourse of patriotic 
citizens ; — our hearts expressed in the salute of arms, the 
rendering of national hymns, the twenty-one guns of salute 



THE DEDICATION. 29 

to the French flag", and the voice of prayer, gratitude and 
benediction ; — by all these, and more than can be expressed, 
we pay our tender ritual and sacred service of tinal dedica- 
tion ; thus honoring and celebrating the ties of ))rotherhood 
and affection, born in Avar, but perfected in peace, that for 
a hundred years have united the chivalrous nation of the 
Gallic hills and the grateful republic of America. 

In this spirit, with these sentiments, in this gladness, this 
Memorial stands consecrated ; to the memory of the tmcient 
alliance of France and the United States ; to the memory of 
the valiant men who rest beneath and around it ; to the 
deeds of the Revolution that shaped the destiny of America ; 
to the recollections of our illustrious guests who decorated 
its foundation ; to the priceless principles of nationality, and 
of the brotherhood of nations, of which it speaks. 

Finally, with thanks to God, we commit the Memorial to 
the guardianship of the generations succeeding us in the 
enjoyment of the li])erties for which our brave fathers and 
their knightly allies gave their blood ; adding the hope that, 
while our weak words may die, the voice of our twenty-one 
guns to the French flag — as our nation's heart-throbs — may 
be borne by benignant winds across the seas to the polite 
and generous people whom we here tearfully remember ; 
and that, in our own land, these guns of salute, may go 
sounding down the line of coming years, to be repeated with 
greater gratitude and emphasis by our children's children, in 
the brighter year of Christian light and grace, 1982. 

Ye braves of 1782, whose funeral drums are once more 
heard, rest in peace and in honor. 

Various passages of the oration elicited most hearty man- 
ifestations of delig-ht. 



30 THE DEDICATION. 

The band then played with effect, "Keller's American 
Hymn," all bosoms beating the time. 

Following this a select choir of men's voices, under the 
direction of Prof. Eugene Henri, gcive a very touching mu- 
sical rendering of the following Latin prayer for the two 
republics of France and America, followed by the Gloria 
Patri : 

THE CHANTED PRAYER. 

Domine, salvas fac Columbine et Galliaj Republicas, easque 
redde securas et prosperas. 

Gloria Patri, Gloria Filio, Gloria et Spiritui Saucto. 

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in stecula 
sseculorum. Amen. 

The presentation of the monument to the City of Provi- 
dence, through His Honor Mayor W. S. Hayward, was then 
made by the President of the Day, Hon. T. A. Doyle, on 
behalf of the donors. 

ADDRESS. 

BY HON. THOMAS A. DOYLE. 

Mr. Mayor : — A single duty remains in connection with 
the ceremonies of this occasion, the performance of which 
was entrusted to a citizen of distinguished ability (Gen. 
Horatio Rogers), whose past services to the city, the state 
and to the nation, and whose great interest in the work now 
completed and in these services, pointed him out as emi- 
nently qualified for the task ; but the condition of his health 
would not permit his attendance here to-day, and it has, 
therefore, devolved upon me to stand in his place, and in 
behalf of the donors, and speaking in their name, to present 



THE DEDICATION. 31 

to the city of Providence, through you, sir, its chosen rep- 
resentative and head, this memorial, which has been erected 
to the memory of the soldiers of France who died while the 
French army was encamped in this vicinity during the war 
of the Revolution, and whose remains were buried in this 

ancient cemetery. 

The work has been constructed by the contributions of 

citizens of Rhode Island and beyond its borders, and it 
therefore stands as the work of the people, and not of the 
municipality, nor of the state nor the nation. In its sim- 
plicity it is intended to symbolize the simplicity of the gov- 
ernment which our fathers established, and in which they 
were so ably assisted by the government of France. The 
material of which it is composed is designed to represent the 
enduring principles upon which the government was founded, 
which, it is hoped, may ever remain as unchangeable as the 
rock from which this granite was quarried. And in request- 
ing the government of the municipality to dedicate this 
memorial, the donors wished to signify that our government 
is of the people, by the people and for the people. And 
through you, we now ask that the government will accept 
and care for and preserve this monument so long as the gov- 
ernment itself shall endure. 

Mr. Mayor : — In behalf of all the contributors, I now pre- 
sent this monument to the city of Providence, in grateful 
remembrance of the work done by the army of France in our 
behalf. And let me express the hope that the alliance then 
formed between the two nations, and which has remained 
unbroken, may continue through the latest generations, and 
the flags of the two Republics ever float side by side as lov- 
ingly as they now float over this memorial. 



32 THE DEDICATION. 

Mr. Mayor, the work assigned me is done. Bat I should 
be unjust to this occasion if I did not here and now place on 
record and bear testimony to the untiring devotion and inde- 
fatigable zeal of the citizen to whom we are chiefly indebted 
for the successful accomplishment of the memorial this day 
dedicated, and in the name of all the contributors I thank 
the Rev. Frederic Denison, orator of the day, for all the 
labor he has so willingly and cheerfully performed. 

The audience gave clear demonstration of their approval 
of the address. 

His Honor, the Mayor of Providence, accepted the memo- 
rial in l)ehalf of the city, as follows : 



ADDRESS. 

BY HON. WILLIAM S. HAYWARD. 

Mr. President and Fellow-Citizens : — It is with great 
satisfaction that, as the representative of the city of Provi- 
dence, I to-day accept this monument to the memory of 
those whose sympathy, whose abilities and whose wealth 
Avere proffered to our infant republic in its hour of greatest 
need. 

To-day we set the keystone to the arch of gratitude and 
national friendship which, amid all the changes of time, will 
render the name of France sacred to every patriotic Amer- 
ican heart. ^ 

The spot is well chosen. Here rest the ashes of many, 
with wdiose lives and history the names and deeds of the 
heroes, to whom this tribute is erected in the city of their 



THE DEDICATION. 33 

f 

children, are so closely connected. Their presence gave 
added luster to the early history of our State. 

I congratulate those citizens whose patriotism has thus 
symbolized that aftection and true appreciation which for 
more than a century the people of this State and of the 
United States have ever cherished toward our sister republic, 
and especially that gentleman, the orator of the day, whose 
enthusiasm and patriotic admiration for our French allies 
have, more than aught else, been instrumental in securing 
and adorning this stone, Avhich, simple, but beautiful, modest 
and unpretentious, may teach to those who, in future years, 
will visit this spot a lesson of unselfish devotion, sympathy 
for the oppressed, and an undying love of liberty. 

Using the Avords of her distinguished Minister, who 
recently visited this spot, let us " remember France was our 
first, our oldest and our best friend." On this one hundred 
and sixth anniversary of American independence, the achieve- 
ment of which, without her assistance, would have long 
been delayed, the city is to be congratulated that her citi- 
zens can unite in paying a just tribute of love and respect to 
the memory of the noble dead, who died that our nation 
might be born, whose efforts opened to the world a land 
where "liberty and equality" are the inheritance of all, and 
established a " fraternity " of interest and mutual aftection, 
which should never cease, between the two great republics of 
the earth. 

Let me pledge to the donors of this memorial its faithful 
and perpetual care by the city, and express the thanks and 
high appreciation felt by all true citizens for those who by 
their wisdom and liberality adorn and embellish our city and 
thus educate her inhabitants. 



34 THE DEDICATION. 

The Maj'Or's address was received with demonstrations of 
applause, after which the band played " The Star Spangled 
Banner" in full spirit. 

The President then introduced the Consul-General of the 
French government at New York, who spoke with felicity 
and deep feeling as follows ; 

ADDRESS. 

BY CONSUL-GENERAL MONSIEUR A, LE FAIVRE. 

After a ceremony so touching, the feelings which vibrate 
in our hearts do not need any expression. But I consider it 
my duty, in my official capacity as a representative of 
France, to thank you Americans for the honors you have 
jast rendered to our countrymen, who, coming from France 
with Kochambeau, died in the camp on a bed of agony instead 
of the field of battle. These gallant men regretted, without 
doubt, in breathing their last sigh, not being able to shed 
their blood for the great cause whicli they longed to defend. 
Is there for the soldier a more cruel deception than the 
obscure death which takes from him the crown of glory, and 
the exaltation of struggle, and the applause of nations? 

Bat your gratitude sought them in this obscure burying- 
ground, in order to restore to them a place in the pantheon 
of history. It is a thought eminently noble and generous, 
worthy of a nation who a short while ago invited the 
descendants of Lafayette and Rochambeau to the Yorktown 
centennial. 

Here we find before us names less celebrated, notwith- 
standing many of the soldiers who died at the camp in Prov- 
idence had gloriously figured in our struggles in the eight- 



THE DEDICATION. 35 

eenth century, for they were the elite of our hmd and naval 
forces, whom France had ordered to give their assistance for 
the emancipation of the new world. The most famous among 
these veterans was the Knight d'Arsac de Ternay, the com- 
mander of the fleet, and director of the ^maritime expedi- 
tion. The Knight of Ternay had distinguished himself by 
his glorious deeds in the naval war between France and 
England. He conquered the island of Newfoundland in 
1762, and had been Governor five years of the Isle de France 
(Mauritius) and Bourbon Island, and from the beginning of 
the war of the American colonies with Great Britain he had 
manifested an extreme ardor in persuading the royal govern- 
ment to declare itself in fiivor of the United States. Hav- 
ing the command of the fleet, composed of eight men-of-war 
and thirty transports, he avoided with great skill an en- 
counter with the English forces, and landed safely the 
French army in sight of Newport on the 8th of July, 1780. 
This warrior had then contributed very largely to the suc- 
cess of the expedition when death overtook him on the 1st 
of December of the same year and deprived him of the glory 
of taking part side by side with Count de Grasse, Rocham- 
beau and Lafayette in the decisive success of Yorktown. 
The honors which 3'ou render to him to-day restore to him 
his legitimate place by the side of his glorious companions in 
arms, and will gladden his manes beyond the tomb. 

Gentlemen : — It is with a deep emotion that France will 
receive the recital of this solemnity. xVlready, by the 
centennial celebration of Yorktown, she can admire the 
nobleness and grandeur which the United States has exhib- 
ited in showing its gratitude ; and sympathetic greetings 



36 THE DEDICATION. 

were answered from all parts of France to this fraternal 
demonstration. 

To-day tears of tenderness will flow amongst us on 
account of this delicate and touching homage rendered to 
these soldiers who here fell at the close of the war. Such 
actions, emanating from popular inspiration, do more for the 
alliance of nations than all the elforts of diplomacy and 
official treaties. 

Citizens of Providence, Rhode Island : — Your splendid 
manifestations Avill tighten the bonds of friendship which have 
for a century united the American and French nations, which 
to-day have become the two most powerful Republics in the 
world. On the tombstone, raised by your hands, these two 
nations, these two sister Republics join hands to-day across 
the Atlantic Ocean, 

The speaker was often heartily cheered by the delighted 
assembly. 

The following was spoken on behalf of the French Colony 
of Providence : 

ADDRESS. 

BY MONSIEUR LOUIS COUILLARD, JR. 

Mr. President and Citizens or Rhode Island : — The 
French Colony of Providence , deeply moved by the erection 
of this Memorial and the touching exercises of this day, can- 
not repress the utterance of the sentiments and feelings that 
they know would be expressed by the republic and people 
of France if could they here speak. We, in our name and 
in the name of France, thank you Americans, you who 
remember the alliance formed with their fathers in the s^reat 



THE DEDICATION. 37 

straggle of the Revolution ; we thank yon that you remember 
her great officers ; we thank you that you remember her 
brave soldiers, and especially those who lie here among your 
fathers and the martyrs of the rebellion. This memorial of 
your regard will touch the sensibilities of France and revive 
the days of old. We are happy and proud to say that the 
French people are now practicing sentiments of patriotism, 
of liberty and of nationality, for which your and our fore- 
fathers fought together a hundred years ago. Those senti- 
ments will be brilliantly and strongly expressed in a few 
months by the statue of Lil^erty recently oftered by France 
to America, to l)e placed in your greatest seaport to show the 
light of freedom to all foreign nations. Now you have still 
further brought France under a new obligation to cherish the 
fellowship she has already felt for you. This monument is 
now yours and hers. It is a pledge of unity of sentiment 
and unity of heart. The people of Rhode Island will ever 
be kindly remembered by France. 

This address was warmly applauded, as it deserved. 
The band then played " Hail Columbia." 
The vast concourse was then highly pleased in listening to 
an ode in the French tongue : 

ODE. 

BY PKOF. JEAN E. GUILBERT. 

Bronze, a la voix tonnante, aux fouclroyants cciairs, 
Cloches des teiuiiles saints, aiix sublimes volees, 
Que chantent, aujourd'hui, vos-grandes voix mele'es, 
Dont les eclios frappent les airs. 

Peuple, en fonleacconru dans tes habits de fete, 

Ediles, magistrats, soldats aux vaillants coeurs, 

Pourquoi tout cet e'clat, a qui tous ces houneurs ? 

Celebrez-vous quelque conquete ? 



38 



THE DEDICATION. 

Ministres des antels, clioeurs sacres, chants pieux, 
Mele's aux tiers accents des fanfares giierrieres 
Brise, donts"*les courants font fiotter les bannieres, 
Quelle fete chauteut les cieux? 

Ce sont de vrais amis, qui, d'un vieux peuple frere, 
En peusant s'honorer, houorent les lie'ros 
Et, pres du champ d'honneur, dans le champ du repos, 
Ont fait, ijour eux, un sanctuaire. 

C'est jour de souvenir, et de fraternite' 
Jour a jamais sacre, jour de reconnaissance, 
Sous les drapeau unis d'Ame'rique et de France, 
On te ce'lebre, oh ! Liberte' ! 



[translation.] 

Thunderbolts of the roaring cannon, 
Joj'ous bells of the holy churches. 
What is the song of your mighty voices. 
Whose echoes strike the air ? 

People in crowds run in gala dress. 

Officers, magistrates, soldiers with brave hearts, 

Why all this show ? 
To whom all these honors ? 
Do you celebrate some conquest ? 

Ministers of the altars, sacred choirs, holy songs 
Mingle their proud notes 

With the warlike triimpets ; 
Gentle breezes fanning the floating banners. 
What festival sings the heavens ? 

These are true friends who, in thinking to honor themselves. 
Honor the heroes of a brotherly nation; 

And near the battle fields. 
And the holy resting place, 
Have made for them a sanctuary. 

Day of memory and brotherly love ; 
Day ever sacred : day of gratitude; 
Under the united flags of America and France, 
We celebrate thee, O Liberty ! 

The dedicatory services at the cemetery closed with the 
benediction by Bishop Clark. 



IV. 
FIKAL EXEECISES. 



With evidently deep feeling, all of the large assembly 
studied the monument in its rich symbolism, and with one 
voice expressed peculiar satisfaction in the memorial itself 
and in the dedicatory utterances, as a just interpretation of 
the heart of Rhode Island. 

The military and civic procession was re-formed in line 
and marched from the grounds through North ]\Iain street. 

Mayor Hay ward appropriately and gracefully reviewed 
the procession on Steeple street. 

Great credit was awarded to Gen. Elisha H. Rhodes, Chief 
Marshal, for the promptness, exactness and grace with 
which everything pertaining to the procession and its move- 
ments was carried out. 

The procession, in main, was dismissed at Market Square, 
when the Gardes Lafayette and the city's guests moved to 
the First Light Infantry Armory on South Main street. 

At the Armory, the Infantry, their guests from abroad, 
and the Veteran Infantry Association, filed into the spacious 
hall, the band playing an appropriate patriotic air, and pre- 
pared to share the excellent collation furnished by order of 
the city. At the proper moment, Lieut. -Col. Joseph H. 
Kendrick, standing in the centre of the hall, which had 
been elaborately and tastefully decorated by Mr. J. Harry 
AYelch, called to order, and then turning to the command- 
ant of the Gardes Lafayette and the other French guests, 
spoke as follows : 



40 FINAL. EXERCISES. 

ADDRESS. 

BY LIEUT.-COL. JOSEPH H. KENDRICK. 

Major Weill, Gentlemen of the Gardes Lafayette, and Rep- 
resentatives OF THE French Republic : 

It gives me great pleasure, in behalf of the First Light In- 
fantry Ilegiment, to welcome you here upon this occasion 
to participate with us in doing honor to the memory of the 
valiant Frenchmen who gave their lives to a country having 
no claim upon their services. We welcome you as the rep- 
resentatives of France, who gave us her treasure and her 
brave men in the hour of our greatest need, and who helped 
our forefatheis to establish our right to become a nation. 
Not until Ave forget the darkness which surrounded the 
eight years' war of our lievolution ; not until we forget the 
sacrifices of the heroic men and women of our country, 
shall we cease to honor the name of Lafayette and the other 
brave men from over the sea, who drew their swords in de- 
fence of American liberty. The Republics of France and 
America have shown to the world that the grandest, the 
stronjjest and the best i>overnments are those which rest 
upon the intelligence and patriotism of the people. 

Major Weill happily responded hy expressing his gratifi- 
cation, and that of his command, in the abounding hospitality 
which had been received from Providence, and liis hearty 
concurrence in the sentiments which had been uttered 
throughout the day. 

After the colhition had been shared, many of the guests 
w^ere shown around the city and differently entertained. In 
the morning they were entertained by the First Light In- 



FINAL EXERCISES. 41 

t'antry at the order of the city. Finally they were escorted 
to Fox Point to take steamer on their return to New York. 
Here, mountini>- the hurricane deck of the boat, that was 
beautifully trimmed with flags, they sang several stirring 
songs. Adieus were at last spoken amid shouts of heartiest 
cheer. 

Visitors from abioad, with all the citizens of Rhode Island, 
expressed peculiar satisfaction with the monument and with 
the dedicatory services. 

Photographic views of the monument, from two sides, 
secured prior to the dedication, through the liberality of the 
monumental artist, Mr. Frank F. Tingley, Avere given to 
some of the distinguished visitors. 

As a very pleasing and not unimportant part of the his- 
tory of the monument, we here give a letter received by the 
Kev. F. Denison in response to one sent by him to France : 

LETTER OF GEN. BOULANGER. 

MiNISTEKE UE LA GuERRE. 1 RE DIRECTION. (InFANTEKIE.) ^ 

Cabinet du General Directeur. > 

Paris, France, Jeiidi 7 Septembre. J 

Cher Monsieur : Combieu j'ai regrette de n' avc^r pu 
repondre immediatment a votre lettre, si bonne, si noble ! 
Un assez long voyage hors de France et mes occupations in- 
cessantes au ministere de la guerre m'en ont senles empeche. 

Mais aujourd' Inii je remplis un devoir bien cher a mon 
coeur en venant vousreraercierde vos deux belles photograph- 
ies, cette representation si parfaite du monument eleve a la 
France et a leternelle alliance des deux Republiques soeurs 
m'a vivement touche. J'en ai eu les larunes aux yeux, et 
certes, rien ne pouvait m'etre plus agreabhi et me rapeller 
d'une fagon plus donee I'admirable sejour que j'ai fait 
I'annee dernicre dans votre beau pays. 

Ce que vous avez fait Monsieur, tout le monde francais 



42 FINAL EXERCISES. 

ou americain doit vous en feliciter. Et c'est en semant des 
idees comme les votres que nous arriverous a consolider, je 
dirai plus, a cimenter d'une maniere indestructible I'amitie 
qui doit exister entre deux peuples si bien faits pour s'enten- 
dre et pour s'allier en vue de la civilisation. 

Merei done Monsieur, en mon nom, au nom de I'armee 
francaise, au nom de la France entiere. 

Vous me dites que vous ne nous avez pas oublies ; quant 
a nous, nions nous souviendrons toujours de I'accueil que 
nous avous re§u dans tous les Etats-Unis, et en particulier 
dans le Rhode Island, avec les sentiments de la reconnais- 
sance la plus douce et la plus cordiale. 

Veuillez, Monsieur, m'ecrire de nouveau et soyez assure 
de ma bien devouee et bien aifectueuse consideration. 

General Boulanger. 

P. S. Mille bonnes amities a tous nos amis du Rhode 
Island. 

Mr. Frederic Denison, 28 South Court street, 

Providence, Rhode Island. 

United States of America. 

[Translation.] 

Defaktment of War, First Direction ; Infantry. ^ 

Office of General Director, > 

Paris, France, 7tli September, 1882. j 

Dear Sir : How much I regret not to have answered 
immediately your so good and noble letter ; but a quite long 
voyage out of France and my incessant engagements in the 
War Department, have been my only impediment. 

To-day, however, I discharge the duty, dear to my heart, 
of thanking you for the two handsome photographs that 
represent so perfectly the monument erected to France and 
the ceaseless alliance of the two sister republics, and that 
touch my sensibilities. I have tears in my eyes ; and cer- 



FINAL EXERCISES. 43 

tainly nothing could be more agreeable to me, or remind mc 
in a more pleasing manner of my delightful visit last year 
to your beautiful land. 

For what you have done, sir, all the people, French and 
American, will felicitate you. It is by disseminating such 
ideas as yours that we shall consolidate — I will say more — 
shall cement in an indestructible manner, the friendship 
which must exist between two peoples so well constituted to 
understand each other, and to be allied for the promotion of 
civilization. 

Thanks then, sir, in my name, inihe name of the French 
army, and in the name of all France. 

You tell me you have not forgotten us. On our part, 
we will remember always the greeting we received through- 
out the United States, and in particular in Rhode Island, 
with sentiments the most sweet and the most cordial. 

You will oblige me, sir, by writing to me again ; and I 
pray you to be assured of my veiy devoted and very affec- 
tionate consideration. 

General Boulanger. 

P. S. A thousand true amities to all our friends of Rhode 
Island. 

Mr. Frederic Denison, 28 South Court street. 

Providence, Rhode Island. 

United States of America. 



Note. A full account of the origin of the French Memorial, with all the 
steps taken in its construction, the decoration of its base by the French Del- 
egation, in 1881, and its completion and dedication in 1882, with the names of 
all the subscribers, their subscriptions, and the bills of cost, prepared by the 
Rev. F. Denison, at the request of the donors, may be found in the keeping 
of the Rhode Island Historical Society. For the full story of " Our French 
Allies " in the Revolution we may mention that a thorough work, under that 
title, prepared by the Rev. Edwin M. Stone, a well-known historical scholar, 
of Providence, will soon l)e from the press in this city. With its invaluable 
particulars, it contains important maps and illustrations. 
6 



H 33 89 4 



